Working as an au pair has traditionally been less popular in the United States then in other countries, but is gaining credence as an efficient method of childcare. There are 11 agencies designated by the State Department to run the Au Pair Program. Both the host family and potential au pair typically pay these agencies an application fee and a program fee which varies from $4,990 to $6,955, depending on the agency used. Au pairs pay fees which vary depending on the US agency and the home country agency they use (if they do not apply directly to the US agency).

This job is often combined with an education requirement in which the au pair is required to complete 12 hours of academic credit. Au pairs placed with families who have children under 2 years old must have at least 200 hours of child care experience with infants under 2. Au pairs may only be placed in a family with an infant under 3 months old if a parent or other adult caregiver is also home and fully responsible for the infant.

The Au Pair Program is administered by the US Department of State. Au pairs enter the United States on a J-1 Visa. A typical 12-month program may have fees that resemble these from Au Pair USA:

Au Pair USA 12-Month Program Fees

What the au pair must know

Basic application criteria vary from agency to agency, but there are a few typical requirements:

• Speak and write conversational English
• Be willing to share your culture and learn about others
• Be willing to commit to 12 months in the U.S.
• Agree to having a background check performed
• Have at least 6 months childcare experience
• Be able to provide 3 non-family local references regarding your experience and character
• Possess a driver's license (or be ready to get one)
• Be in good physical condition as evidenced by a Physician's Report
• Pass a psycho-metric test given by the Agency

In addition to these requirements, it is common for families to ask for non-smoking, responsible or non-drinkers, and for females.

What the family has to do

The family has to welcome the au pair in thinking that she is not an employee but a home help for the children. Therefore they will make sure:

• the au pair must have her own bedroom,
• the au pair will work to a maximum of 25-35 hours per week She should have minimum 2 days off during the week (make available the au-pair's agreed free time and days off ),
• they understand that having an au pair doesn't mean someone who is going to do the housework, the dishes....etc. However au pairs may be asked to do some housework, especially related to the children,
• the family pay an allowance (pocket money) each week (usually about $60 per week),
• it may be good to register the au pair at the family doctor. She must also be registered on the house insurance.

Some addresses...

 The designated US agencies are:

• Agent AuPair;
• AuPair Care ;
• AuPair Foundation;
• AuPair in America;
• Au Pair USA;
• Cultural Care AuPair;
• Cultural Homestay International;
• EurAuPair;
• Expert AuPair;
• Go AuPair;
• USA AuPair.

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